Montreal – Canada is a world-leader in genomic research—the study of all of a person’s or population’s genes. The field, which involves sequencing genomes to identify variations that give researchers a better understanding of health and disease, holds enormous potential for improving the health of Canadians.
For example, through sequencing, scientists can pinpoint which genetic mutations cause disease, tailor medical treatments to people’s specific genetic makeup, detect people’s risk for developing inherited diseases, trace how viruses like the one that causes COVID-19 spread and evolve, and study the DNA of groups of people living with a disease to uncover how to treat or even cure it in the future.
Despite Canada’s research capacity and many established genomics laboratories, there is no national database or strategy for how to capture, store, and access Canadian genomic data in an equitable, secure, and sustainable manner.
To close this gap and harness the potential of genomic medicine, the Minister of Health, Mark Holland, announced today a $15 million investment to create a Pan-Canadian Genome Library which will allow for easier sharing of genomic data across the country. The funding comes from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and builds on investments from the Government of Canada’s National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases.
The Pan-Canadian Genome Library, led by Dr Guillame Bourque, Director of Bioinformatics at the McGill Genome Centre, will provide researchers and health care professionals with a centralized database that reflects the rich diversity of people living in Canada. A core principle of the Genome Library is Indigenous control over genomic datasets of Indigenous Peoples to ensure autonomy and respectful use of Indigenous health data. With this investment in the Genome Library, Canada remains a leader in genomic research that is diverse and equitable and ready to be used by health care professionals.
The Library was developed through a strategic partnership between CIHR, Genome Canada, the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, and CGEn, which is Canada’s national platform for genomic sequencing and analysis. It will be hosted at CGEn, which includes the McGill Genome Centre at McGill University in Montreal, The Centre for Applied Genomics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, and the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer in Vancouver.
“This investment in the Pan-Canadian Genome Library is an exciting step for our country as a leader in genomic research. Our government is proud to support this project and the cutting-edge research it will help—because when we invest in research, we are investing in better health outcomes for Canadians.” – Mark Holland, Minister of Health
“Canada is a leader in genomic research, but Canadians really benefit from this research when it is accessible to health care professionals and researchers across the country. This is why the Pan-Canadian Genome Library is so important: it makes genomic research shareable and equitable. Now, professionals across the country can access important genetic information that will help treat patients and improve health outcomes.” – Dr Christopher McMaster, Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Genetics
Picture courtesy: Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre